Long recognizing the importance and value of diversity, Luce Forward’s goal is to reflect the diversity of our communities and to promote communication and understanding among all those who work at the firm. We view diversity as a core cultural value that is critical to the firm’s success. We respect the backgrounds and perspectives of all of our attorneys and staff, and strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful culture comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, and providing a platform where everyone can succeed.
Recruiting.
We take specific steps to recruit, retain and promote diversity at all levels, including law students and lateral hires. We have an expanded outreach to law schools to ensure that we recruit a diverse range of new attorneys. Recognizing that each lawyer develops individually, we have an active mentoring program that caters to the individual needs of our attorneys. We continue to participate in several programs designed to introduce minority law students to law firms, including the Black Law Students Job Fair, Lavender Law Job Fair, Bay Area Diversity Job Fair, and the Southeastern Minority Job Fair.
Diversity Committee.
The firm’s commitment to diversity is exemplified by the work and progress of our Diversity Committee. The committee is represented by minority, non-minority, LGBT, and male and female lawyers. The Diversity Committee works to enhance and address issues faced by minority attorneys and female attorneys, involving differences among people such as race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities, and culture. Our Diversity Committee is chaired by John T. Brooks, a partner in our San Diego office.
Women’s Initiative.
Luce Forward also has an active Women’s Initiative. We foster an environment where both men and women can be successful, and we believe that women are a key component to the firm’s success and its leadership. The Women’s Initiative hosts networking
and educational events throughout the year that empower professional women and create client development opportunities. Women play an active role in the firm’s leadership, serving on our Executive Committee, holding positions as office Partner-in-Charge, chairing practice groups, and serving as committee chairs. In addition, Luce Forward is a member of the Project for Attorney Retention (PAR), an organization that promotes the retention and advancement of women in the legal profession by encouraging work/life balance for all attorneys. In 2010 we joined with the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Women Lawyers of Los Angeles as part of a task force to encourage retention and promotion of women lawyers within all law firms.
Business Development Coaching.
At Luce Forward, we believe that providing solid training in business development is key to the success of our attorneys and the firm. We have developed a Business Development Coaching Program, which has successfully trained associates and junior partners in developing the fundamental skills of effective business development which can help them design their own unique marketing roadmap. A total of 52 lawyers have gone through the program, 20 of whom are women, and 7 of whom are diverse lawyers. The program has been extremely popular and we will continue to invest in providing our attorneys with this type of training.
Diversity Scholarships.
Luce Forward awarded scholarships, in the amount of $5,000 each, to deserving law students through La Raza Lawyers of San Diego, the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, and the John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles. One of the recipients of a Luce Forward scholarship sent us a note upon receiving her scholarship, quoted at right. It is our goal to continue to provide mentoring and assistance to the recipients of our scholarships. We have included them as our guests at events, and follow up with them regularly to ensure that their needs are being met during law school. We are proud to have been nominated by the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, for a San Diego County Bar Association service award based on our diversity efforts in 2010 and 2011.
“Luce Forward’s scholarship has made a significant contribution to my legal education. I will use my scholarship towards tuition and books. I truly appreciate Luce Forward’s commitment to serving the community and contributing to a diverse legal field. Your firm’s commitment sets a great example of how the legal profession can reach out and make a significant impact on the communities it serves. I intend to follow Luce Forward’s example and contribute to the future generation of practitioners while continuing to give back to
my community at large.”
J.D. Candidate, 2013 - UCLA Law School
“Through these scholarships, we hope to enhance the opportunities for young attorneys within the minority communities where we work and live.”
John T. Brooks - Luce Forward Partner - Diversity Committee Chair
Partnerships / Sponsorships.
The firm proudly supports diversity through partnerships with leading minority bar associations and community organizations. Most recently, Luce Forward was the title sponsor of a highly-regarded traveling exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Man, “RACE: Are We So Different?” In addition, the following are some representative examples of organizations we support. We are honored that some of our attorneys serve on boards and executive positions within many of these organizations.